As part of their continued crackdown on illegal drug trafficking ahead of the Assam Assembly polls, Chirang Police arrested two drug peddlers and seized 8 containers of psychotropic substances.

During the operation on Tuesday against illegal drug trafficking, the Chirang Police also seized 59 empty containers, 12 syringes and 29 lighters.

Sharing the information, Chirang police tweeted, “Operation against illegal drugs trafficking by Chirang Police On 23.02.2021 two drug peddlers were apprehended & seized the following: 1.08 containers with psychotropic substances. 2. 59 empty containers 3. Syringe – 12 nos 4. Lighter – 29 nos, etc. Legal action is being taken.”

To ensure a drug-free India, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently joined hands with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and released a ‘joint action plan (JAP) on prevention of drug and substance abuse among children and illicit trafficking.

According to the plan, the children will become informers for ensuring the areas around their school are free of any substance abuse or tobacco shops.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the NCB compiled a list of 272 districts across the country that have been selected for comprehensive action under this plan.

Of the 272 districts, a majority of them are from Rajasthan (33), Uttar Pradesh (33), Punjab (18), Madhya Pradesh (15), Jharkhand (12), NCT of Delhi (11), Assam (9) and Bihar (8).

Tobacco, alcohol, inhalants and cannabis, respectively, are the most common substances used by children, according to a study conducted by the NCPCR and the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre.

A 2019 study by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had concluded that 4.6 lakh children in the country were addicted to inhalants — “the only category of substance in which the prevalence was higher among children than among adults”.

Shajid Khan is Northeast Now Correspondent in Udalguri. He can be reached at: [email protected]